By Lorie A. Cascaro
Some 1,500 women are expected to march in Davao City in celebration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, as well as to protest President Aquino’s closeness to the US government which has resulted in inequities for the Filipino people,
said GABRIELA Southern Mindanao Secretary General Mary Ann Sapar.
The rallyists will be coming from the sectors of urban poor, peasant, workers, youth and non-government organizations on women and children, and barangay chapters of Gabriela Women’s Party.
They will assemble at Freedom Park, Roxas Ave. and march to Rizal Park where a cultural program will be held featuring the women’s stand on socio-economic and political issues under the Aquino administration.
“The continuing oil price increases and privatization of public utilities are some of the manifestations of the US-Aquino regime’s conspiracy, Sapar told Edge Davao. Gabriela demands for the repeal of EPIRA, EVAT and the Oil Deregulation Law, which, according to the group, “gives power generation, transmission, distribution, and oil price control solely in the hands of private companies.”
“It is us women who bear the brunt of rising prices of daily needs in the face of lower incomes and increasing number of unemployed.” Sapar said.
Sapar is inviting all women in Davao City coming from different sectors to join the mobilization on March 8, saying that it is a significant way to show their protest against the continuing economic crisis.
Meanwhile, the Gabriela Women’s Party sponsored House Bill 4704 to amend Section 4 of RA 9337, urging Congress to exempt oil and petroleum products, as well as prime commodities and basic necessities from the imposition of EVAT. Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus are also pushing for the repeal of the EPIRA law and the removal of the 12% VAT on electricity.
